Abstract

Background & Methods: The aim of the study is to evaluate various clinical and biochemical parameters in predicting the presence of large esophageal varices. The study included indoor patients diagnosed with chronic liver disease based on clinical, biochemical and radiological findings. All the patients were screened for esophageal varices by means of upper GI endoscopy. Results: Almost 90% of study participants were anemic, out of them 31% were mildly anemic, 51.1% moderately anemic and only 4.3% were found to be severely anemic. Mean Hb level of study participants was 8.96gm. 28.7% participants were having thrombocytopenia and 53.2% participants were having raised prothrombin time. Serum bilirubin level was found raised in 47.9% of CLD patients. Spleen size and portal vein size above the normal range was found in 63.8% and 53.2% of participants respectively. Conclusion: The clinical and biochemical parameters found to have predictive value in large esophageal varices are splenomegaly and low platelet count. However other parameters like jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, serum bilirubin, PT/INR and Child-Turcotte-Pugh score failed to show independent predictive value. The ultrasonographic parameter found to have predictive value in large esophageal varices are increased splenic diameter and portal vein diameter.

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